Backguard for range



Dec. 30, 1958. H. M. R EVE 2,866,450

BACKGUARD FOR RANGE Filed Feb. 7, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 30, 1958 H.M. REEVES 2,366,450

' BACKGUARD FOR RANGE Filed Feb. 7, 1955 2 Sheets+Sheet 2 United StatesPatent 7 BACKGUARD FOR RANGE Herbert M. Reeves, Kankakee, Ill., assignorto Geo. D. Roper Corporation Application February 7, 1955, Serial No.486,388

3 Claims. (Cl. 126-213) The present invention relates to ranges and moreparticularly to a novel backguard construction.

It it an object of the present invention to provide a backguard for arange which presents a finished and distinctive appearance but which ismore economical than conventional backguards, being readily adaptable,without necessity for separate tools and dies, to all ranges regardlessof width. More specifically, it is an object to provide a novelbackguard comprising a small number of standard parts which may be usedfor ranges of different size and which avoids the cost of the separatedies required in the production of conventional types of ranges.

It is another object to provide a backguard which comprises a number ofparts but which is so constructed as to have a neat unitary appearancefree of visible joints. It is a related object to provide a backguardwhich may be assembled quickly and easily and without exercising a highdegree of care or skill. It is a further object to provide a hollowbackguard construction which provides easy access for changing a lampbulb or other servicing.

It is still another object to provide a backguard which producesimproved illumination of the work surface and improved venting of theoven, with both the light and the oven flue being shielded from view.

In one of its aspects it is an object of the invention to provide abackguard which is flexible in application and which includesdistinctive decoration and trim, but in which minor variations in trimand appearance may be made at minimum expense and without necessity forspecial tooling.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent uponreading the attached detailed description and upon reference to thedrawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective of a range employing a backguardconstructed in accordance with the present invention. 1

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective showing the manner in which theparts are assembled together.

Fig. 3 is a section taken through one of the end caps along the line 33in Figure 4.

Fig. 4 is a front view of the end cap shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective showing a backguard having a modified ridgemember and showing the possible variation in length.

While the invention is described herein in connection with a preferredembodiment, it will be understood that I do not necessarily limit theinvention to such embodiment but instead intend to cover all alternativeconstructions and arrangements which may fall within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

Turning now to the drawings, a range is shown in Figure 1 having abackguard 11 constructed in accordance with the invention. Suchbackguard forms a unitary boxlike structure being secured in place onthe body of the range by a pair of downwardly extending fastening boltsto which more detailed reference will later be made. The backguard 11includes a front panel 12 which covers almost the entire front surface.Spaced above the front Patented Dec 30, 1958 panel is a longitudinalridge member 13, the two members defining a compartment with alongitudinal opening 14 which extends the length of the range. Mountedin the compartment under the ridge member 13 and out of direct view isan electric lamp 15 which floods the entire working surface with lightthrough the opening 14. Also included in the back member is a verticalflue 16 which is connected to the oven and which permits venting of theoven through the same longitudinal opening 14 with consequentdistribution of the oven heat.

In accordance with the present invention novel vertically-extending endcaps are used at each end of the backguard, the end caps being fastenedto the panel 12 and ridge member 13 and capable of use interchangeablywith front panels and ridge members of various lengths and constantcross-section to provide a unitary construction free of objectionablejoints. The end caps in the present instance are indicated at 21, 22,attention being directed to the end cap 21, the details of which areshown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. The end cap 21 has a smoothly contoured outersurface 23 which may be porcelain-enameled or otherwise finished tomatch the body of the range. For providing a neat and hidden joint withthe front panel 12, the cap 21 has an inwardly turned flange 24 havingan inwardly facing surface 25 and a profiled edge 26. The profiled edge26 is formed to accurately match the profile of the front panel 12.

Prior to discussing the manner in which the front panel is fastened inplace in the end cap, further attention may be given to the front panelconstruction. As shown in Fig. 3, the panel 12 has a'gently slopingsurface 30 and a longitudinal ridge or bead 31 formed along'its upperedge. Adjacent the ridge 31 is a step portion 32 which extendsbackwardly and a riser portion 33. The stepped profile of the frontpanel is particularly valuable for venting and illumination. As will benoted in Fig. 3, the elongated lamp bulb 15 is arranged directly abovethe stepped upper edge of the front panel, the bulb, however, beingshielded by the overhang of the ridge member 13. It willbe apparent,therefore, that the stepped construction permits the use of a wide yetrelatively unnoticeable opening 14 for passage of light outwardly overthe work surface. In the present embodiment correspondingly steppeddecorative trim 35 is provided along the upper edge of the panel, thestrip being of Z cross-section in order to seat on the step 32 of thepanel and to overlie the vertical portions 31, 33 at the upper edge ofthe panel. The decorative trim strip is secured in place by means ofsuitable screws 36. It will be noted that the profiled edge 26 of theend cap follows closely the profile of the front panel 12, the trimstrip 35 being foreshortened so that the end thereof abuts the inwardlyfacing surface 25 of the end cap.

A novel arrangement employing rearwardly accessible screws is providedfor drawing the front panel 12 into intimate engagement withthe profilededge 26 of the end cap. In the present instance the screws arethreadedly received in the front flange of vertical channel member orbracket 40 having a front flange 41 and a rear flange 42, as well as aninwardly turned anchoring or base portion 43 to which reference willlater be made. The channel member or bracket 40 is secured within thecap member by providing spaced pads 45, 46 which are spotwelded orotherwise secured to the inside surface of the cap.

Turning to Fig. 3, screws 51, 52, which may be of the self-tappingvariety, are received in registering holes in the front flange 41 of thebracket. It will be apparent that as the screws are tightened the panelwill be drawn in the forward direction into intimate engagement with theprofiled edge 26 to provide a perfect joint.

Turning attention next to the anchoring or base portion 43 of thebracket 40, it will be noted that it includes an inwardly facing slot 53for reception of a bolt 56 which engages an end clip 57, the latterbeing of generally L-shape having an upturned portion 58. For securingthe front panel 12 to the end clip and hence to the lower portion of thecap 21, a longitudinal pocket member is provided in the form of adecorative trim strip 60. As shown in profile in Fig. 3, the trim strip60 receives the lower edge of the panel 12, being provided with anupwardly extending portion 61 which extends generally parallel to theinner wall of the front panel and which is secured to the end. clip by asuitable bolt and nut 62. It will suffice to say that the assembly thusfar described is secured to the body of the range by the downwardlyextending bolts 56, one at each end, in the conventional manner, thebackguard and range body being securely clamped together by wing nuts56a.

For the purpose of enclosing the rear of the box-like structure a backplate 65 is provided of straight longitudinal construction and having aprofile as shown in Fig. 3, the lower edge of the back plate 65 beingstepped inwardly as shown at 66. For securing the back plate to the endcap 21, screws 71, 72 are used, such screws passing into holes providedin the back plate and into tapped engagement with the rear flange 42 ofthe bracket 40. The back plate therefore not only encloses butrigidifies the construction, giving the back of the range a neat andfinished appearance and providing anchorage for the ridge member 13.

More detailed attention may next be given to the ridge member 13. Thismember is straight throughout its length and of arcuate cross-section asshown in Fig. 3. For the purpose of supporting the ridge member 13 onthe end caps 21, 22, each of the cap members is provided with a memberdefining an arcuate ledge. In the case of the cap 21 the ledge memberindicated at 73 is spotwelded or otherwise secured within the curved topportion of the cap. A novel hook and detent connection is provided tokeep the ridge member 13 seated firmly in place while permitting itsready removal as maybe required from time to time for changing the lampbulb 15. In the present instance, the hook is formed by reverselybending the front edge of the ridge member 13, the hook being indicatedat 1311. This hook engages the front edges of the ledge members. Theengagement between the hook 13a and the front edge 73a of the ledgemember 73 will be clearly noted in Fig. 3. For providing detentedengagement between the ridge member 13 and the back plate 65' the ridgemember is provided at its rear edge with detent means herein shown as abead 75 in the depending edge portion of the member. Upon assembly, thebead is received in a complemental depression, in this instance alongitudinal groove 76 in the back plate. No screws or other fasteningmeans are required. To remove the ridge member the rear edge thereof isrocked upwardly out of the groove 76, permitting disengagement of thehook and complete removal of the ridge member. This not only facilitatesreplacing the bulb but provides access for cleaning or other servicing.

While the present backguard includes a number of parts, assembly may becompleted within a few minutes without exercising a substantial degreeof care or skill. Starting with the front panel 12, the trim strip 60 isslipped over the lower edge as shown in Fig. 3 with the end clips 57attached. The two end caps are next slipped over the ends of the frontpanel and secured thereto by means of the screws 51, 52. Nuts providedon the screws 56 may then be tightened to secure the base portions 43 ofthe caps to the end clips. This is followed by the addition of the backplate which is secured in position by screws 71, 72. Finally the ridgemember 13 is hooked at its forward edge and rocked rearwardly to itsdetented position. Disassembly when required is equally simple, and itwill be apparent that an end cap or the. panelmay be 4 readily replaced,if chipped or damaged, without necessity for replacing the entirebackguard.

It is one of the primary features of the construction that the sameelements may be used with only minor modification for all rangesregardless of length. It has been customary in the past to provide acontoured backguard of a specific length for use in a particular range,the latter requiring separate dies for each size of range in the line.It will be apparent that when using the present construction, separatedies are not required and the same end caps may be used throughout. Theonly change required is in the length of the front and back panels andthe associated trim. Since the panels and trim are of constant profileor cross-section throughout their length, this becomes a simple matterof trimming the members to suit the particular size of range. Theimportance of this feature may be realized when it is considered that aline of ranges may include five or more different lengths, resulting ina tooling cost of several hundreds of thousands of dollars. Using thepresent sectional construction enables the tooling cost to be reduced toa small fraction of this and provides a degree of flexibility notheretofore obtainable.

The appearance of the present construction is also greatly enhanced ascompared to more conventional arrangements. The trim applied toconventional backguards has, for the most part, been simply anappendage. In the present construction the trim is integrated into theconstruction, tending to tie it together and resulting in a distinctiveand pleasing appearance. Changes may, nevertheless, be easily made inthe form of the trim to alter the appearance as may be desired whenbringing out a new model. It will be apparent furthermore that differentfront panels may be used with the same end caps as required, forexample, when using different clocks, different switches, utilityoutlets and the like.

While the invention has been discussed in connection with a backguardhaving a front panel and a ridge member of constant cross-section, itwill be understood that the profile need not be constant over the entirelength, but may be centrally interrupted for the purpose of pro vidingimproved shading for the lamp bulb, or for applying a decorativetrade-mark or the like. This possibility is shown in Fig. 5 where itwill be noted that the ridge member is centrally extended in the forwarddirection, as shown at 77, in order to cast additional light on theclock face 78. The end portions of the ridge member are, nevertheless,of constant cross-section, so that they may be symmetrically trimmed, asrequired for ranges of different length. The various lengthpossibilities are indicated by the dotted lines. In view of theforegoing, the term constant profile or constant cross-section in theclaims shall be interpreted to cover configurations such as shown inFig. 5 where the cross-section remains constant over a relatively widerange at each end of the member.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a range, a backguard comprising, in combination, a pair of uprightend caps each having an end wall with an integral inwardly extendingflange along its top and front edges, means removably securing said capsadjacent opposite ends of the range, a back panel extending between saidcaps, a front panel spaced forwardly of said back panel extendingbetween and supported on said caps with its ends concealed behind thefront flanges of the caps, means removably securing said panels to saidcaps, said front panel having its upper marginal edge portion offsetrearwardly, a ridge member of constant generally arcuate cross sectionextending bridgingly between said caps and having its rear edge abuttingthe rear panel, means removably securing said ridge member to said capsincluding a seat on each end cap for the corresponding end of the ridgemember and means connecting the rear edge of the, ridge member and theabutting portion of the reanpanelfor holding the ridge member on theseats,

and said ridge member having its front edge portion spaced forwardlyfrom and overhanging the offset upper marginal edge portion of saidpanel to conceal the same and to define an elongated lamp compartment.

2. In a range, a backguard comprising, in combination, a pair of uprightend caps each having an end wall with an integral inwardly extendingflange along its top and front edges, means removably securing said capsadjacent opposite ends of the range, a front panel and a rear panelextending between and supported on said caps, said front panel havingits ends concealed behind the front flanges of the caps, a ridge memberof constant generally arcuate cross section throughout its lengthextending bridgingly between and supported on said caps and having itsrear edge abutting the rear panel, means carried by each end capdefining a seat for the corresponding end of the ridge member, and meanson both the forward and rear portions of the ridge member for holdingthe ridge member seated on the seats, said last-named means including adetent carried by the rear edge of the ridge member releasably receivedin a groove in the abutting portion of the rear panel, said front panelhaving its upper edge portion ofiset rearwardly to cooperate with theforward edge portion of said ridge member in defining a downwardly andforwardly opening lamp compartment.

3. In a range, a backguard comprising, in combination, a pair ofinwardly-facing vertical end caps mounted at the respective ends of therange, said end caps each having an inwardly turned flange around itstop and front edges, the flange at the front edge of the cap having arearwardly extending lip portion, a bracket secured to the inner face ofeach end cap having a flange spaced inwardly from the front flange ofthe cap, a substantially vertical front panel extending bridginglybetween said end caps, the ends of said panel extending behind the frontflanges of the end caps and the flanges of said brackets, said panelhaving a constant profile over a substantial distance at each endthereof, the lip portions of said end caps each having a rearwardlyfacing profile edge precisely matching the profile of said panel,anchoring means for securing said panel to the flanges of said bracketsand for drawing the panel forwardly for intimate engagement thereof withsaid profile edge whereby the flanges and anchoring means areeffectively concealed behind the lip portions of the caps, a ridgemember extending bridgingly between the top portions of said end caps,and means for securing the end caps to the body of the range.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D.110,924 Goldthwaite Aug. 16, 1938 1,726,979 Droszewski Sept. 3, 19292,226,834 Rogers Dec. 31, 1940 2,274,299 Mayer Feb. 24, 1942 2,279,063Rogers Apr. 7, 1942 2,408,295 Cossin Sept. 24, 1946 2,556,444 ReevesJune 12, 1951 2,556,554 Pellegrin June 12, 1951 2,556,555 Reedy June 12,1951 2,638,893 OKeefe May 19, 1953

